University wins Queen’s Anniversary Prize
The University of Lincoln has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its work supporting the success and sustainability of the UK’s food and farming industries through innovations in research, education and technology.
The Queen’s Anniversary Prize is the highest National Honour in UK further and higher education, recognising outstanding work by UK colleges and universities showing excellence, innovation and benefit to the wider world.
First awarded in 1994, the Prizes are granted every two years by the Sovereign on the advice of the Prime Minister following a rigorous independent review process by The Royal Anniversary Trust, an independent charity.
The University of Lincoln is one of 22 winners in the 15th round of the scheme, announced at St James’s Palace on 16 November 2023. The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes will be presented at a formal Honours ceremony in February 2024.
The accolade recognises the work of the University’s Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology (LIAT) – a specialist research centre focussed on improving productivity, efficiency, and sustainability across the food chain ‘from farm to fork’.
Professor Neal Juster, Vice Chancellor of the University of Lincoln, said: “We are immensely proud, thrilled and humbled to win the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education – the highest National Honour for UK universities and colleges.
“The award recognises the outstanding contribution our research and teaching is making to supporting innovation across the UK’s £100bn agri-food industries.
“It also demonstrates how the focus of our research is aligned to the needs of key industries in our region, not only helping businesses to enhance productivity, but also producing skills and opportunities that create prosperity in communities across Greater Lincolnshire.
“Winning the Prize is all the more remarkable given our Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology was founded less than a decade ago. It is now recognised as one of the world’s leading centres of R&D excellence in this crucial specialism.”
Gainsborough venues earn three Historic Heart Awards
Gainsborough Old Hall, The Old Nick Theatre and Gainsborough Heritage Centre have received a special Historic Heart Award, for their contribution towards the Townscape Heritage Initiative.
The Historic Heart Awards were developed by Gainsborough’s Townscape Heritage Initiative to recognise organisations that have assisted West Lindsey District Council with promoting Gainsborough’s rich heritage.
The council has worked closely with the three organisations who met regularly as part of the Historic Heart Forum. They supported events and raised awareness of all that Gainsborough has on offer for local residents and visitors.
English Heritage at Gainsborough Old Hall have played a huge part in making the THI initiatives such as, last Summer’s Great Gainsborough Treasure Hunt, which was a roaring success. Almost 8,000 people took part in the hunt for treasure, which led them to the Old Hall to claim their rewards.
The Old Hall also played a key role in Gainsborough’s Heritage Skills Festival in September with ancient skills demonstrations in their grounds.
They hosted Georgian dance workshops and a leather working session whilst offering FREE entry to the hall that day. This festival attracted thousands of extra visitors to the town over its 8-day duration.
Mick Grundy, Manager at The Old Hall, said: “This award demonstrates exactly what English Heritage does for the community and it draws everyone together for a common cause.”
The Old Nick Theatre group has supported events such as The Merrye Old Market of Lord Street, providing costumed characters along with their pillory and other hands-on thrills.
This was Gainsborough’s first event since lockdown and attracted thousands of visitors keen to get out and take part. The event was repeated in August 2022 in the Market Place with the addition of free traditional fair rides and Punch and Judy shows, which attracted 1800 visitors despite being one of the hottest days of the year!
In 2023 The Old Nick hosted several workshops for Gainsborough’s Heritage Skills Festival, allowing tutors to demonstrate repair and restoration work on the actual building and using the theatre space for illustrated talks.
Des Kirkland, Chairman of the Gainsborough Theatre Company said: “It’s been great working with West Lindsey District Council and what we have achieved together. We are a theatre, a museum, and one of the oldest buildings in the town. This building has an amazing history and people learn so much about the history of the building and the town when they visit us. We’ve had film companies from Australia and America here, that’s how popular we are as a building. We are very much embedded into the community.”
Gainsborough Heritage Centre has also been extremely supportive of the Townscape Heritage Initiative. As far back as 2020, during lockdown, Andy and Lynne Birkitt were providing historic reference information on the buildings targeted for restoration and have hosted the THI tab within their website.
The heritage centre also displayed a travelling exhibition titled ‘Gainsborough is Bloomin’ Brilliant’, which was developed by the Townscape Heritage Initiative in 2021 and having travelled to several locations, is currently on display in the reception area of the Guildhall in Marshall’s Yard.
Andy Birkitt, Chairman of Gainsborough Heritage Association said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this award and we have absolutely loved working with Theresa Workman on this project from day one. It’s great to see the Townscape Heritage Initiative in all its glory.”
New programme to help businesses create great tourism experiences
A new business support programme will offer tourism businesses in North Kesteven free support in creating new experiences, trails, and tourism products.
Experts in the visitor economy Destination Lincolnshire and Unmissable England are delivering the support, and it’s been secured by North Kesteven District Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The project has received £25,297 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It will start with a launch event taking place on Tuesday 28 November, from 11-2pm at the Natural World Centre, Whisby which will tackle the idea of becoming an Experience Maker and how to develop your own bookable experience. Unmissable England will then present a range of tourism training workshops in person and online to those businesses with a proactive interest and that sign-up on the day. Businesses which sign up will be taken on a journey throughout the programme, with a mix of workshops, one-to-one support and collaborative sessions. In recent years there has been an increased demand for bookable experiences, and so emphasis will be placed on businesses creating or developing a bookable experience. The programme will also align with other significant objectives such as accessibility and inclusivity, sustainability and being environmentally friendly, diversification and experiential off-season products, through dedicated workshops such as ‘Greening your business’. This type of programme is the first of its kind and has the potential to pave the way for other local authorities to help boost their visitor economy in a similar way. North Kesteven District Council Economic Development Manager Alan Gray said: “From history and heritage through to arts, culture and more, North Kesteven offers a really fantastic range of things to do. “It’s important though that it can continue to draw people in with new and exciting experiences and so this training is an important opportunity for tourism-related businesses to either grow their offer or develop something entirely new for people to enjoy. “By the end of the programme, attendees should have a final product or experience developed which will help strengthen their business and encourage more people to discover all that North Kesteven offers, as well as improving pride of place for the people who live and work here and like to enjoy its many brilliant venues and tourism attractions too.” Charlotte Goy, CEO at Destination Lincolnshire, says: “Globally, there’s been a big uplift in experiential travel. A change and opportunity that Destination Lincolnshire is keen to see businesses take advantage of. “Visitors are no longer looking to simply visit a ‘place’, they want to experience it and that’s why we’re so excited to be delivering this programme of events, in partnership with Unmissable England and North Kesteven District Council. “Through this in-depth programme, businesses will learn how to develop new bookable experiences, appealing to visitor demand; to show them where the locals go, what is off the beaten track, discover the stories of a place, and create lasting memories in the process.” Chris Brant, Founder and Director of Unmissable England, says: “I’m really excited to get going with this new tourism programme to support businesses across North Kesteven to develop new bookable visitor experiences for domestic and international markets. “Unmissable England has worked all over the country supporting businesses to design authentic experiences, creating new collaborations and new products for a range of markets. “We are now about to do the same in North Kesteven in partnership with the District Council and Destination Lincolnshire, providing face-to-face training, and one-to-one business support sessions to fully support businesses to take new experiences into the marketplace. “The programme’s launch event is a half-day workshop where businesses will broaden their knowledge of Experiential Tourism and begin the initial steps in creating their own experiences for visitors. “I can’t wait to see what ideas businesses will have and where we can take those ideas in creating new products for the district and wider region.” The programme of support will run until November 2024 and will avoid peak seasons such as Christmas and Summer.Water Rats stay in the swim with help of £1,000 ABP donation
ABP in the Humber has given the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Water Rats open water swim club £1,000 towards their 24-hour swim challenge held in July.
Simon Bird, Regional Director for the Humber, said: “This is such a worthwhile club. Giving people an opportunity to swim in open water but within a safe environment is of great benefit to many people. At the same time, their actions are also being used in raising money for other local causes.”
Alex Martinelli, Water Rat member, said: “ABP’s support over many years is very much appreciated. Grimsby and Cleethorpes Water Rats history can be traced back to the 1890’s and it is with the generous support of companies like ABP that the club is now well-established as a community organisation with over 190 members of all ages and abilities.
“Some train members for triathlons, others are social swimmers, while others swim for fitness. We all work towards improving local facilities for the sport and contributing to the community.”
The 24-hour swimathon raised £2,645 for the Sunflowers Children’s action group, the elected charity this year. Teams of up to six swimmers as a relay swam the distance of the 21-mile English Channel in 21 hours.
The open-water swimming club has more than 200 members of all abilities and ages. The Community Amateur Sports Club is run by volunteers and their aim is to provide open-water swimming at a grass roots level. Their home is Alexandra Quay Marina in Grimsby’s Alexandra Dock.
Their next event is the Dip a Day in December challenge where each day the Water Rats members pledge to take a chilly dip in the dock while raising money for charity. Over the past three years, they have raised £7,500 for local charities.
In 2021 ABP donated funds to help the group acquire their first clubhouse and assisted in some giant ABP logoed buoys.
Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance fundraisers honoured with Community Award
Lincolnshire fundraisers, Ant Wood and Katie Gyles, are celebrating after winning the prestigious “Community Award” at the Sleaford Town Awards Ceremony held last week in honour of the couple’s impressive fundraising achievements for Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA).
Organised by The Sleaford Standard and Sleaford Town Council, The Sleaford Town Awards are held annually and celebrate the achievements of people living, working and being educated in Sleaford.
The couple wouldn’t like to put a figure on the total amount raised, but they usually organise four or five events a year, ranging from running The Great North Run and the LNAA 10k A Day in May challenge to organising charity snooker challenges and quiz nights.
When asked what their favourite moment has been whilst fundraising, Ant said: “It would have to be when we do the London Landmarks Half Marathon as we make a little break out of it to see the sights of London and explore before taking part in the race.”
They started raising funds five years ago after Katie’s uncle was involved in a road traffic incident whilst riding on a motorbike. Ant said: “If the Air Ambulance didn’t make it he would probably not be here today.”
But the couple are not stopping there with their support of this vital emergency service as they have become the charity’s newest volunteers.
LNAA Volunteering Manager, Kate Kerrigan said: “It is great to welcome Ant and Katie as registered volunteers for LNAA. Donating time is a valuable gift, and one we are always really grateful of here at LNAA.
“We couldn’t do what we do without our volunteers, and with such a wide range of opportunities available, there is something for everyone.
“We are so grateful to Ant and Katie for giving their time to volunteering as well as continuing with their amazing fundraising. Their award is well deserved and we are very proud that they are part of our LNAA volunteering family.”
To find out more about volunteering with LNAA contact volunteering@ambucopter.org.uk
Lottery funding secured to help build North East Lincolnshire heritage networks
Hot on the heels of being announced as a national “Heritage Place” last month, Create North East Lincolnshire has been awarded another £250,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to help build the heritage networks and activities in the area.
North East Lincolnshire was selected for a grant as an ‘Area of Focus’ for The National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2019 due to low heritage investment and engagement. This provided opportunity to work with more people across the borough.
The area was awarded £250,000 from the Heritage Fund to create a ‘Heritage Starter Fund’ and establish a Heritage Network, which will grow as a result of this grant. Working in partnership with Heritage Lincolnshire, the aim was to widen audiences for heritage and to ensure that heritage plays a key role in helping communities recover from the impacts of COVID-19.
As a result, new events, experiences and activities have been supported and grown from this seed corn investment – from the Grim Falfest for the last two Septembers, to sharing memories of Grimsby Town Football Club and protecting and enhancing iconic buildings like Weelsby Hall.
And now, building on that work, the next tranche of funding will focus on participation and engagement, strengthening heritage-led partnerships, and is part of a wider suite of investment from NELC, UK Shared Prosperity Fund and a £450,000 secured grant from Arts Council England to place heritage and culture at the heart of the regeneration of North East Lincolnshire.
Specifically this grant will support:
- Funding of staff to continue the legacy of the Heritage Starter Fund, Greater Grimsby Heritage Action Zone and NEL Heritage Network.
- Building a new schools network to bridge the gap between heritage practitioners and schools to ultimately engage more children and young people to participate in heritage activities.
- Freelance support to work with community organisations to develop their projects.
- A small revenue grants scheme to support developing community projects targeted at underrepresented groups and heritage themes, this will focus on natural heritage projects, children and young peoples’ participation and digital engagement.
- Continuation of the NEL Heritage Network, bringing people together who have an interest in heritage and in doing so encourage collaboration, deliver training and build resilience across NEL.
- Showcasing the work of Heritage Network collaborators.
- Work to build the case for heritage investment highlighting its wider social, economic and community benefits especially in regeneration programmes and to protect and enhance environmental assets.
Councils press new Home Secretary for meeting over RAF Scampton
The leaders of West Lindsey District Council and City of Lincoln Council have jointly addressed a letter to newly-appointed Home Secretary James Cleverly to express concerns about asylum accommodation proposals at RAF Scampton.
In the letter, Cllr Trevor Young and Cllr Ric Metcalfe, request a meeting with Mr Cleverly to discuss the government’s plans to house 2,000 asylum seekers there, and share perspectives on the potential impact on the local community. They say that despite attempts to work with the Home Office for the last 10 months, many questions remain unanswered.
Cllr Trevor Young, Leader of West Lindsey District Council, said: “We have been clear from day one that Scampton is not an appropriate location for a large-scale asylum accommodation centre. I wanted to be frank with the new Home Secretary that our small rural community at Scampton has serious concerns, which have not been addressed.
“Furthermore, the opportunity to secure a £300million regeneration and investment scheme remains on the table and we need to grab this with both hands. Now is the time for a sensible conversation.”
Cllr Ric Metcalfe added: “Scampton is a self-evidently unsuitable site for what is proposed. We will be asking the new Home Secretary, in the strongest possible terms, to review the original decision to use this site for asylum accommodation.”
Both councils remain committed to engaging constructively with the Home Office to find mutually agreeable solutions.
Meanwhile, West Lindsey District Council, along with Braintree District Council and a resident from Weathersfield, is awaiting the outcome of a judicial review held at the High Court in London last month. The judicial review challenged the lawfulness of the government’s decision to develop the site as asylum accommodation is awaited.
West Lindsey District Council’s Director of Planning Regeneration and Communities, Sally Grindrod-Smith, said: “The judicial review proceedings provided the Council, along with the other claimants in the case, the opportunity to set out to the judge the facts of the case.
“As part of my witness statement, I was able to ensure that the judge had sight of the challenges that our community is facing, and the scale of opportunity presented by the £300 million investment and regeneration plan. Additionally, we were able to provide a picture of the current reality on the site and set out the steps the Council has taken to enforce the rules of the planning system.”
Councillors discuss plan to spend £1.5bn on city homes
Next week City of Lincoln Councillors will discuss its new 30-year business plan for the city’s council homes, including a commitment to invest more than £1.5 billion in Lincoln’s housing stock over the plan’s 30-year lifespan.
There are 7,800 council homes in the city, about 20% of Lincoln’s total number of domestic properties. These are made up of 3,513 houses, 3,008 flats, 547 bungalows, 259 maisonettes, 6 bedsits and 467 homes for older people.
The new 30-year plan sets out the income and expenditure plans for the delivery of council housing until 2054, with a focus on four main objectives:
- Core Housing Services – Work to ensure Lincoln is ranked among the top performing social landlords in the country for services such as repairs, caretaking and landscaping
- New homes – Our plan to build, acquire and enable the development of 1,700 additional affordable homes in the city
- Estate regeneration – Our plan to regenerate estates means that we will tackle problems like parking, crime and anti-social behaviour
- Decarbonisation – We will reduce our carbon footprint and make homes cheaper to run for residents as part of our aim for all homes to reach energy performance rating of C by 2030
Barton swimmers to benefit as £100,000 secured
More than £100,000 Government cash has been secured to help the transition to green energy for Barton’s swimming pool.
The pool at Baysgarth Community Hub is one of 100 across England which received a share of £20m central Government funding, with a further £40m due in the coming months.
Cllr Rob Waltham, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This Government cash will go a long way to ensuring we continue to create a more sustainable future for leisure facilities meaning residents can enjoy the benefits.
“It is the latest in a long line of support we have received from Government to ensure we can continue to provide the facilities residents tell us they want and need and will add to the cash we are already using locally.”
The council recently invested £5m in community hubs in Ashby, Scunthorpe, Barton, Brigg and across the Isle of Axholme – with Epworth’s new hub set to get new solar panels installed.
The four-lane, 20 metre swimming pool at Baysgarth Community Hub is open daily and offers a wide range of activities including casual and lane swimming, swimming lessons, pool parties, fun splash activities, aqua fitness classes and water-based exercises.
Cllr Carl Sherwood, cabinet member for safer, stronger rural communities, said: “Swimming is a valuable life skill for people of all ages, important for safety and both physical and mental health.
“Across the whole of North Lincolnshire there are a range of facilities available to people to keep themselves fit and healthy, to keep their children entertained with our free-swimming sessions during summer and often, just as a place to stay connected to friends and family.”
Grimsby Wolves Female Ice Hockey Team receives £500 Costa Coffee donation
Costa Coffee is offering vital support to Grimsby Wolves Female Ice Hockey Team as part of its Community Grants scheme. With a £500 donation, the company is giving a little lift to crucial causes in the communities around its stores.
The Community Grants programme gives team members from across Costa Coffee’s business the chance to nominate causes in their area to receive a donation in support of their work.
Grimsby Wolves Female Ice Hockey Team compete in the women’s national ice hockey league, and are the only female ice hockey team in Lincolnshire.
Costa Coffee’s Community Grant has provided the sports team with additional funds which they plan to use for beginner sessions to encourage newcomers to ice hockey, as well as additional training sessions for the team prior to the upcoming 2023-2024 season.
Nikki Burnett, assistant captain and team treasurer, Grimsby Wolves Female Ice Hockey Team, says: “We are so grateful to be nominated for the Costa Coffee Community Grant as it acknowledges what we are trying to achieve in the local community.
“Our aim is to promote health, fitness and wellbeing, by providing an opportunity for girls and women to become part of an inclusive team in a fast-paced exciting sport. Unfortunately, ice hockey is a financially demanding sport, so we appreciate Costa Coffee’s much-needed support.”
